Can I use a railcard when I buy tickets at a machine?

[ChloeHandbag]

We are going to London today and have just worked out that if we buy a family railcard it will cost the same as if we just got a one day travelcard. So I wondered if I could buy a railcard online and then use it today? Our station is fairly remote, so it's unlikely the ticket office will be open, so you have to buy tickets via a machine. Will the machine have the option to include the railcard? I don't want to buy one online and then still have to pay the full price iyswim.

I didn't know you could buy a railcard online. But assuming you can, yes you can use it at a machine - they just ask you if you have a railcard as you do the purchase. Then the ticket inspector on the train will check for the actual railcard, IYSWIM.

Ah bugger, I won't have the railcard with me as it takes a few days to post

Railcards are produced straightaway and put into the post. You an usually get them within 36 hours of ordering. Alternatively, buy a Family & Friends Railcard at the station. It takes about 10 minutes to fill out the form and process.